Exclusive: Usyk a danger to Joshua at heavyweight, warns Price

Alexandr Usyk once again saw his stock rise last weekend as the Ukrainian unified the cruiserweight division in a barnstorming battle with Mairis Briedis.

The 32 year-old added the WBC title to his WBO version and is only one step away from picking up two more straps in the World Boxing Super Series final.

Recently, Usyk has been mentioned in the same breath as Anthony Joshua as the Olympic gold medallist stated he’s open to fighting the current three-belt heavyweight champion in the future.

Joshua rival David Price, who once dropped the top division king in sparring, believes Usyk poses a threat to anyone once he makes the transition above 200 pounds.

Usyk is currently a clear favourite for the WBSS tournament and moving up mix it with the current champions looks like a sure move, which Price says could bear fruit.

Asked directly if Usyk would be a danger to Joshua, Price replied: “Definitely as his movement is great, even as a smaller, faster heavyweight he can cause problems for the big guys. Guys have done it before and Usyk is just on another level,” the Liverpool man exclusively told World Boxing News.

“If Usyk does move up, Joshua is the main man at the moment but he’s still learning and that’s why its a danger.”

Price also took time to reference some past fighters that went on to fight bigger guys before praising the WBSS format.

“People have done it before, look at Roy Jones Jr. he caused problems for guys in all different weight classes, Holyfield is another who moved up and took on the heavyweights and succeeded.

“The WBSS is fantastic, it’s absolutely ground-breaking what they’ve done. The whole format of it and the belts, plus reaching a global audience, it has been really good to watch,” added Price.

Chandler Waller is a staff writer for World Boxing News. Follow Chandler on Twitter@ChandlerWaller